Page 98 - IJPS-11-3

International Journal of
Population Studies Male fertility in Uganda

remains a major challenge to male fertility demographic decades, while the female TFR trends have consistently
research. However, the need to make use of the data remained above the global levels (Kabagenyi et al., 2015;
that are gradually and increasingly becoming available, Population Reference Bureau, 2022). Estimates indicate
especially in developing countries, is growing (Joyner et al., that Uganda’s female TFR was 4.6 children per woman
2012; Nisén et al., 2014; Rendall et al., 1999; Schoumaker, in 2022, which is two-fold higher than the current
2017; Tragaki & Bagavos, 2014; Zhang, 2011). In regions global level of 2.3 and the fourth highest rate in the East
and countries where estimations of male fertility have Africa region, behind the top raking Somalia, Burundi,
been attempted, factors such as lack of knowledge about and Tanzania (Population Reference Bureau, 2022). By
the existence of biological children, denial of pregnancies 2016, Uganda’s female TFR stood at 5.4 children per
and births among men, hostile relationships between the woman as per the last available Demographic Health
father and the mother at the time of a child’s birth and Survey (Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) and ICF,
under-sampling of men during surveys (not adequately 2018). While there is plentiful availability of published
corrected by sample weights) are mentioned as causes of demographic literature on female fertility, this is not the
underestimation of male fertility rates (Joyner et al., 2012; case for male fertility in Uganda. The authors envision that
Marcia et al., 2005; Rendall et al., 1999). discussing Uganda’s population growth and female TFR
Building on the 1994 International Conference on patterns without reflecting on male fertility dynamics
Population and Development declaration, reproductive presents a policy, planning, and research dilemma. Thus,
health research among men, especially in the sub-Saharan this study provides knowledge on factors associated with
Africa region, is gaining ground. However, it primarily male fertility changes over time to better understand
focuses on male involvement in supporting skilled birth gender-related fertility differentials and overall fertility
attendance, antenatal care, family planning, and other dynamics in Uganda.
sexual and reproductive health services to improve women’s Earlier attempts to investigate male fertility in Uganda
health (Kakaire et al., 2011; Mangeni et al., 2013; Plantin were conducted in the Ankole sub-region of Western
et al., 2011; Zhang, 2011). On the contrary, demographic Uganda. The results indicated that male fertility was high,
research on male fertility in developing countries continues with the mean number of children ever born (CEB) from
to be scant, despite its necessity for understanding the men aged 45 years and above ranging between 10 and
factors underlying fertility and transitions among both 16 children per man during 1984 – 1985 (Ntozi, 1995).
men and women (Schoumaker, 2017; Zhang, 2011). However, this particular study does not provide ample
Published literature suggests that gender-related fertility up-to-date and nationally representative literature on male
differences primarily arise from differences in reproductive fertility in Uganda. Factors associated with male fertility
sexual practices, perceptions, fertility preferences changes in Uganda are not adequately documented. The
(influenced by culture and socioeconomic context), and lack of sufficient published information on male fertility
the unclearly defined duration of reproductive years among trends and the factors associated with these changes is a huge
men (Green & Biddlecom, 2004; Le Goff, 2012; Schoumaker, challenge that limits the understanding of the demography
2017, 2019; Zhang, 2011). In developing countries, there of male fertility and fatherhood behaviors in Uganda. Due
are persistent patterns of higher fertility rates among males to this gap in research, there is a failure to prioritize and
than females (Paget & Timæus, 1994; Schoumaker, 2017; plan for effective fertility control strategies and programs
Zhang, 2011). Male total fertility rate (TFRm) estimates where men are targeted as primary beneficiaries to achieve
from existing studies range between 1.5 and 2 times higher sustainable development.
than female rates in selected sub-Saharan African countries Hence, this study is important as it uses available Uganda
(Schoumaker, 2017). Although several reasons have demographic health surveys (UDHS) data to examine
been advanced to explain the differences in male versus male fertility transitions and their associated factors. This
female fertility estimates, it is necessary to understand the study is also useful for future demographic research on
importance of male dominance or unequal male gender- male fertility and for providing insights into the planning
power relations. These relations permit the supremacy of programs aimed at improving existing knowledge for
of men over women in regard to decision-making on promoting fatherhood roles and addressing socially unmet
childbearing, often entwined in ethnic values and polygamy needs among men. Given Uganda’s prevailing annual
in patriarchal families (Green & Biddlecom, 2004; Nalwadda population growth, the findings of this study can inform
et al., 2010; Ntozi et al., 1997; Schoumaker, 2017). policymakers about gender-related fertility differentials
In Uganda, the average annual population growth and fatherhood patterns, thereby enhancing policies on
has been oscillating above 3% for the past couple of fertility regulation and sustainable development.

Volume 11 Issue 3 (2025) 92 https://doi.org/10.36922/ijps.461